The ICAR has welcomed the announcement of the president that legislation will be introduced to ban child and forced marriage.
In a press statement, the president of the Institute for the Advancement of Children’s Rights (ICAR), Mr Malick Jallow, described the pronouncement of the President as fundamental stride by the Government of the Gambia in the quest to ensure timely and effective protection and promotion of the rights of the child.
He went further to say: “IACR is pleased to have actively contributed to the legal debate and advocacy on the need to improve and strengthen the legal framework for combatting child and forced marriage, through sensitization of community and opinion leaders and through legal research on relevant international standards and best practices.”
Mr Jallow was concerned that the legislation should be comprehensive. “It is now imperative that detailed and comprehensive legislation is passed to give full effect to the decision to ban child and forced marriage. This process will require thorough and full consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the new law is in full compliance and harmony with international standards and best practices.”
